YEARS from now the men and women of our armed forces engaged in hostilities in the Gulf will be justly proud to say: "I helped free the oppressed people of Iraq from the bullying grip of a wicked, sinful tyrant."

What about the men and women now marching with banners displaying "Not in my name"?

What will they say? Will they boast they wanted the bully to continue? Because he surely will continue if the banner-wavers do "stop the war".

Perhaps they like bullies. Bullies thrive when no one opposes them.

What has happened to the spirit of the English, Scots, Irish and Welsh which would never allow people to be treated with the contempt dispensed by the evil Iraqi dictator?

I can only assume we are now so cowardly we let "peaceniks" rule us - even when they are wrong.

I am an old-timer proud to have fought to free the world of Nazi evil; to have struggled also to keep the peace between Jew and Arab in Palestine and say: "I fought terrorists in Malaya to give Malayan people their freedom."

I support our troops and our cause.

D Bowen,

Scarcroft Hill, York.

...I WAS taken aback by the unjustified criticism of York's MP Hugh Bayley from the local Labour Party chairman David Ellis and Transport and General Workers' Union member, Brian Anderson (March 19).

Hugh Bayley represents all residents of York not just members of the Labour Party. They have no divine right to his undivided loyalty.

Apart from the coverage of those who campaign and march against war there are just as many, if not more who despite choosing to keep a dignified silence, support the Government.

They are also fully behind our armed forces and their families who have to contend with the stress. It must be upsetting for them to witness the anti-war attitude from self-righteous people unable to face up to reality.

E C Earle,

Dower Court,

William Plows Avenue, York.

...HAVING encountered some "protesting" school children at the Millennium Bridge, bunking off school and smoking seemed their main concerns. I question their knowledge of the Iraq debate.

Maybe if the young man whose comment about Iraq being such a small country spent a bit more time in school he may learn Iraq is just less than twice the size of Great Britain. As for the girl who thinks missing school is fine, great. But don't expect the tax payers to fund her when she fails her examinations.

Don't these children realise that innocent people are dying daily at Saddam's hands? He is a dictator, not like our democratically-elected leaders. I hope the children will appreciate their freedom and use their vote. Many Iraqis would love a choice.

Fiona M. Dewar,

Huntington Road, York.

...I FELT very angry at the sight of about a dozen police officers looking after a crowd of rowdy attention-seeking truants from school "protesting" about the war in Iraq. Are the parents of these truants to be fined to help pay for wasted police time?

Pauline Wallace,

Eason Road, York.

Updated: 10:25 Tuesday, March 25, 2003